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I'm always on the look out for brands that do good, which was why I was so excited that I had the opportunity to try a body butter from GLOW for a cause. If you've been reading my posts lately, you'll know how annoyingly dry my skin gets, so I'm always down to try out a new lotion here and there, and this is one I've definitely been loving.

The GLOW for a cause Body Butter in wish* contains shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and sunflower oil, making this cream jam-packed with moisture. Plus, the smell is wonderful. I seriously couldn't describe a scent for the life of me, but the website describes it as "A magical blend of sparkling light florals, white tea, and bergamot grounded by light musks."

I love how quickly it absorbs, and it leaves the skin feeling extremely soft but not greasy, which c'mon, we all know everyone is after that. This is great for post-shower, or on the bedside table as a hand cream, which is something I've been loving it for. It also comes in three different sizes: 1.3 oz, 2.5 oz, and 7.5 oz.So, not only is this a pretty great body butter, but the brand itself is also pretty great. 5% of every purchase is donated to one of the GLOW for a cause's partner non-profit organizations. Among these are MaxFund Animal Adoption Center, a no kill animal shelter in Colorado, and The Gathering Place, a drop-in center for women, children, and transgender folks in poverty or homeless. I genuinely admire what this company does, and I hope more companies start to catch on. ;) GLOW for a cause also makes face cream, lip balm, candles, and perfume, and I would encourage you guys to check them out if you're looking for good quality products and to give back at the same time.Happy Sunday, I hope you had a wonderful week. Here's to a good February ahead.Sara*This post contains products sent in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

1.29.2017

I'm always on the look out for brands that do good, which was why I was so excited that I had the opportunity to try a body butter from GLOW for a cause. If you've been reading my posts lately, you'll know how annoyingly dry my skin gets, so I'm always down to try out a new lotion here and there, and this is one I've definitely been loving.

The GLOW for a cause Body Butter in wish* contains shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and sunflower oil, making this cream jam-packed with moisture. Plus, the smell is wonderful. I seriously couldn't describe a scent for the life of me, but the website describes it as "A magical blend of sparkling light florals, white tea, and bergamot grounded by light musks."

I love how quickly it absorbs, and it leaves the skin feeling extremely soft but not greasy, which c'mon, we all know everyone is after that. This is great for post-shower, or on the bedside table as a hand cream, which is something I've been loving it for. It also comes in three different sizes: 1.3 oz, 2.5 oz, and 7.5 oz.So, not only is this a pretty great body butter, but the brand itself is also pretty great. 5% of every purchase is donated to one of the GLOW for a cause's partner non-profit organizations. Among these are MaxFund Animal Adoption Center, a no kill animal shelter in Colorado, and The Gathering Place, a drop-in center for women, children, and transgender folks in poverty or homeless. I genuinely admire what this company does, and I hope more companies start to catch on. ;) GLOW for a cause also makes face cream, lip balm, candles, and perfume, and I would encourage you guys to check them out if you're looking for good quality products and to give back at the same time.Happy Sunday, I hope you had a wonderful week. Here's to a good February ahead.Sara*This post contains products sent in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My skin is finally improving (hallelujah), so I feel a bit more comfortable breaking out from my strict skincare routine and switching things up. Since I've heard so much about Lush skincare, I decided it would be a good starting point. I picked up three products -- two I've heard loads about, and one that I had never heard of, but had great reviews online. I've been using these products for about a week now, so I also thought I'd include a little about my thoughts so far.

The first product I decided to pick up was the Herbalism cleanser. This is definitely unlike anything I've used before. To use, you pinch of a bit of the product and mix it with a teeny bit of water to create a paste-like consistency. I've only been using this in the shower, but I imagine it could get a bit messy at a sink.

My dry skin has really been loving this. I feel like people's top complaint with cleansers is that they strip all of the oil from the face, but this leaves my skin feeling moisturized and fresh in a way no other product has. It also contains ground almonds, which provide a light exfoliation.

Lush's Tea Tree Water is probably the item I've heard about the most. I've been spraying a few spritz on a cotton pad and using it after cleansing in the morning & night, and I think this product paired with the Herbalism cleanser has really helped clear up and prevent acne. Surprisingly, this product hasn't been very drying, either. Definitely a fan of this.

Lastly, I wanted to try a moisturizer, so I went with Imperialis. I hadn't heard anything about this, but I decided to give it a whirl anyway, and I'm happy I did! This contains lavender and orange blossom, so it is very soothing, and I adore the scent. It also absorbs quickly and moisturizes well without leaving my face feeling gunky. The only drawback is that a 1.5 oz container is $26, and I could easily go through this in a couple weeks if I used it regularly. This would be a great product to have around in the winters when your skin needs a little extra something, but I don't know if my wallet could handle this being my full-time moisturizer.

I'm super happy with my purchases, and I'm shocked to see such wonderful results so quickly. I'm excited to continue using these products and hopefully see my complexion improve even further!

Have you tried any of Lush's skincare products? What did you think?
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1.23.2017

Happy Monday everyone!

My skin is finally improving (hallelujah), so I feel a bit more comfortable breaking out from my strict skincare routine and switching things up. Since I've heard so much about Lush skincare, I decided it would be a good starting point. I picked up three products -- two I've heard loads about, and one that I had never heard of, but had great reviews online. I've been using these products for about a week now, so I also thought I'd include a little about my thoughts so far.

The first product I decided to pick up was the Herbalism cleanser. This is definitely unlike anything I've used before. To use, you pinch of a bit of the product and mix it with a teeny bit of water to create a paste-like consistency. I've only been using this in the shower, but I imagine it could get a bit messy at a sink.

My dry skin has really been loving this. I feel like people's top complaint with cleansers is that they strip all of the oil from the face, but this leaves my skin feeling moisturized and fresh in a way no other product has. It also contains ground almonds, which provide a light exfoliation.

Lush's Tea Tree Water is probably the item I've heard about the most. I've been spraying a few spritz on a cotton pad and using it after cleansing in the morning & night, and I think this product paired with the Herbalism cleanser has really helped clear up and prevent acne. Surprisingly, this product hasn't been very drying, either. Definitely a fan of this.

Lastly, I wanted to try a moisturizer, so I went with Imperialis. I hadn't heard anything about this, but I decided to give it a whirl anyway, and I'm happy I did! This contains lavender and orange blossom, so it is very soothing, and I adore the scent. It also absorbs quickly and moisturizes well without leaving my face feeling gunky. The only drawback is that a 1.5 oz container is $26, and I could easily go through this in a couple weeks if I used it regularly. This would be a great product to have around in the winters when your skin needs a little extra something, but I don't know if my wallet could handle this being my full-time moisturizer.

I'm super happy with my purchases, and I'm shocked to see such wonderful results so quickly. I'm excited to continue using these products and hopefully see my complexion improve even further!

Have you tried any of Lush's skincare products? What did you think?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

It's no secret that I've been struggling with acne for some time now, and boy is it frustrating. I have sensitive, combination skin -- 9 on the dryness scale, 6 on the oily scale (out of 10). So, finding products that can keep my skin moisturized and don't break me out is seriously tough. Finally, after trying many different products that never led to any improvement, I decided to just go back to the basics -- and it worked! My skin has been doing much better recently, and I can see my acne starting to fade.

In the midst of the expensive skincare craze currently taking over the blogging world, I thought I'd show you that you don't need to break the bank to clear your skin, if acne if something that you're battling as well. And cutting back your skincare regimen to a few simple and gentle products might just do the trick!

001. Removing Makeup I use the Garnier Micellar Water on a cotton pad to remove all of my makeup. I don't use waterproof mascara, so this is an effective way to get everything off. (I've been really tempted to try the Garnier Micellar Water +oil. Has anyone tried this?)

002.Pre-Cleanse Hydration "Mask" The only way I have found to actually lock some moisture into my face is to smear a thick layer of Aquaphor (review) all over and leave it on for about half an hour. This doesn't break out my skin, and when I go to apply makeup the next day, I feel a little bit less like I have reptile skin. I'm a super-fan of this product, and I love how glowy and hydrated it makes my face.

003. Cleanse To clean my skin, I've been using the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. This 12 oz bottle lasts forever (which is why the bottle looks a little icky -- it's spent some time in my shower) and does a great job of gently cleansing without stripping moisture. I use this with my Foreo Luna 2 (review), which has literally been a god-send (and really isn't that inexpensive at all but shhhhh I had to mention it). I attribute much of my improved complexion to this gadget; it really does a wonderful job at deep cleaning. My face has been so much smoother and clearer since I began using this device + cleanser combo.

004. Moisturize Moisturizing is kind of a long process for me since my dry skin sucks up any product immediately after application. I use the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion and apply several layers as it absorbs. What I love about this moisturizer is that it feels very light on my skin, and it doesn't leave my face feeling gunky and clogged, no matter how much I apply. Both of the CeraVe products I mentioned also have hyaluronic acid and ceramides in them, which help to lock in moisture and make your skin healthier. (On really bad skin nights, I'll also use an eye cream to help reduce flakiness under my eyes. I don't have a favorite, but lately I've been usingEstee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye [review].)

I'm so pleased that my skin is finally reaching a better place, and I'm looking forward to exploring a bit more with skincare now that I think my face can handle it. I actually just placed a skincare order on Lush, so look out for some posts on that!

If you're having problematic skin, I encourage you to try just the basics for awhile. Using a lot of different products on your skin constantly can cause more harm than good for some of us folks with sensitive skin.

1.12.2017

It's no secret that I've been struggling with acne for some time now, and boy is it frustrating. I have sensitive, combination skin -- 9 on the dryness scale, 6 on the oily scale (out of 10). So, finding products that can keep my skin moisturized and don't break me out is seriously tough. Finally, after trying many different products that never led to any improvement, I decided to just go back to the basics -- and it worked! My skin has been doing much better recently, and I can see my acne starting to fade.

In the midst of the expensive skincare craze currently taking over the blogging world, I thought I'd show you that you don't need to break the bank to clear your skin, if acne if something that you're battling as well. And cutting back your skincare regimen to a few simple and gentle products might just do the trick!

001. Removing Makeup I use the Garnier Micellar Water on a cotton pad to remove all of my makeup. I don't use waterproof mascara, so this is an effective way to get everything off. (I've been really tempted to try the Garnier Micellar Water +oil. Has anyone tried this?)

002.Pre-Cleanse Hydration "Mask" The only way I have found to actually lock some moisture into my face is to smear a thick layer of Aquaphor (review) all over and leave it on for about half an hour. This doesn't break out my skin, and when I go to apply makeup the next day, I feel a little bit less like I have reptile skin. I'm a super-fan of this product, and I love how glowy and hydrated it makes my face.

003. Cleanse To clean my skin, I've been using the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. This 12 oz bottle lasts forever (which is why the bottle looks a little icky -- it's spent some time in my shower) and does a great job of gently cleansing without stripping moisture. I use this with my Foreo Luna 2 (review), which has literally been a god-send (and really isn't that inexpensive at all but shhhhh I had to mention it). I attribute much of my improved complexion to this gadget; it really does a wonderful job at deep cleaning. My face has been so much smoother and clearer since I began using this device + cleanser combo.

004. Moisturize Moisturizing is kind of a long process for me since my dry skin sucks up any product immediately after application. I use the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion and apply several layers as it absorbs. What I love about this moisturizer is that it feels very light on my skin, and it doesn't leave my face feeling gunky and clogged, no matter how much I apply. Both of the CeraVe products I mentioned also have hyaluronic acid and ceramides in them, which help to lock in moisture and make your skin healthier. (On really bad skin nights, I'll also use an eye cream to help reduce flakiness under my eyes. I don't have a favorite, but lately I've been usingEstee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye [review].)

I'm so pleased that my skin is finally reaching a better place, and I'm looking forward to exploring a bit more with skincare now that I think my face can handle it. I actually just placed a skincare order on Lush, so look out for some posts on that!

If you're having problematic skin, I encourage you to try just the basics for awhile. Using a lot of different products on your skin constantly can cause more harm than good for some of us folks with sensitive skin.

With the awfully cold weather I've been bearing as of late, my skin has been quite miserable and dull. So, when I wondered past the sheet mask section in Ulta, I decided to finally pick up a TonyMoly sheet mask. I opted for the "nutrition avocado" mask because it sounded like something my skin could definitely use right now.

Now for the shocker: I had actually never used a sheet mask before. I know, I know, I'm a little late to hop on the bandwagon, but I've been trying to keep my skincare routine (blogpost coming soon) pretty simple and consistent to clear up my acne. My skin has (finally!!!) cleared up tremendously, so it felt like the right time to give one of these guys a try.

I left this on my face for about 25 minutes, and then patted in any excess product. I also applied product remaining in the pouch to my neck to avoid wasting it. I really enjoyed the scent of this product -- clean and fresh, but not overpowering. I was worried that this might cause a breakout due to other's experiences, but my skin wasn't irritated at all (and I have super sensitive skin).

My face did feel refreshed after this mask; I can't say that the effects were extremely long lasting, but it satisfied my desire for a quick facial-pick-me-up. And for about $4, I can't complain. I look forward to trying other sheet masks from this line and from other brands as well.

What are your favorite sheet masks? Any suggestions for what I should try next?

1.10.2017

With the awfully cold weather I've been bearing as of late, my skin has been quite miserable and dull. So, when I wondered past the sheet mask section in Ulta, I decided to finally pick up a TonyMoly sheet mask. I opted for the "nutrition avocado" mask because it sounded like something my skin could definitely use right now.

Now for the shocker: I had actually never used a sheet mask before. I know, I know, I'm a little late to hop on the bandwagon, but I've been trying to keep my skincare routine (blogpost coming soon) pretty simple and consistent to clear up my acne. My skin has (finally!!!) cleared up tremendously, so it felt like the right time to give one of these guys a try.

I left this on my face for about 25 minutes, and then patted in any excess product. I also applied product remaining in the pouch to my neck to avoid wasting it. I really enjoyed the scent of this product -- clean and fresh, but not overpowering. I was worried that this might cause a breakout due to other's experiences, but my skin wasn't irritated at all (and I have super sensitive skin).

My face did feel refreshed after this mask; I can't say that the effects were extremely long lasting, but it satisfied my desire for a quick facial-pick-me-up. And for about $4, I can't complain. I look forward to trying other sheet masks from this line and from other brands as well.

What are your favorite sheet masks? Any suggestions for what I should try next?

Okay, look, I get it -- being a good person is hard sometimes. Whether it be keeping the five dollar bill you found on the sidewalk outside your local coffee shop, or not wanting to wait to hold the door for someone, sometimes it's just easier to not do the good deed. But don't fret. There's still hope. As a self-proclaimed decent person myself, I've compiled a few of my tips to help you become a more positively-contributing citizen.001. Educate yourself. It sounds so simple, doesn't it? But with access to so much information at our fingertips, sometimes we only brush the surface. So, reader, I encourage you to dig deeper. Ask questions. Learn. We have a tendency to accept the first opinion we hear about something as the truth -- but what about the other side of the argument?002. Share this gained knowledge with others, but do so respectfully. The second half of this suggestion is what's really important here. You are going to encounter individuals who think differently than you, and that's okay! Variance in feelings and opinions is what leads to debate, and this debate can lead to some serious change. It's okay to offer up your opinion, but always, always, always attempt to see things from alternative perspectives, and don't resort to rudeness and name-calling when people aren't willing to immediately change their outlook to align with yours.003. Seek opportunities to help people. We're all here on this big ol' planet together, and we're all dealing with our own troubles. Do what you can to help one another; you have no idea how far a helping hand can go. Make sure to know your boundaries though -- sometimes you need to help yourself before you can help others. It's okay to put yourself first, and you should never feel ashamed about that.004. Just be kind, dang it. Spread positivity and happiness. Ask somebody how his or her day is going, smile at your peers during passing, practice patience, and have an open mind. Try to brighten somebody's day. People are different from one another; can you imagine how boring it would be if we were all exactly the same? (Which reminds me of that episode of The Fairly Odd Parents where the whole town was composed of identical gray blob people. Does anyone else remember this? Just me? Okay.) It's simply not productive to put somebody down because they aren't the same as you, whether that be the same race, sexuality, gender, etc. Acceptance is powerful. And you just might find that not letting these minor differences bother you makes you a bit happier in the long run, too.Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, and remember to choose love.

1.08.2017

Okay, look, I get it -- being a good person is hard sometimes. Whether it be keeping the five dollar bill you found on the sidewalk outside your local coffee shop, or not wanting to wait to hold the door for someone, sometimes it's just easier to not do the good deed. But don't fret. There's still hope. As a self-proclaimed decent person myself, I've compiled a few of my tips to help you become a more positively-contributing citizen.001. Educate yourself. It sounds so simple, doesn't it? But with access to so much information at our fingertips, sometimes we only brush the surface. So, reader, I encourage you to dig deeper. Ask questions. Learn. We have a tendency to accept the first opinion we hear about something as the truth -- but what about the other side of the argument?002. Share this gained knowledge with others, but do so respectfully. The second half of this suggestion is what's really important here. You are going to encounter individuals who think differently than you, and that's okay! Variance in feelings and opinions is what leads to debate, and this debate can lead to some serious change. It's okay to offer up your opinion, but always, always, always attempt to see things from alternative perspectives, and don't resort to rudeness and name-calling when people aren't willing to immediately change their outlook to align with yours.003. Seek opportunities to help people. We're all here on this big ol' planet together, and we're all dealing with our own troubles. Do what you can to help one another; you have no idea how far a helping hand can go. Make sure to know your boundaries though -- sometimes you need to help yourself before you can help others. It's okay to put yourself first, and you should never feel ashamed about that.004. Just be kind, dang it. Spread positivity and happiness. Ask somebody how his or her day is going, smile at your peers during passing, practice patience, and have an open mind. Try to brighten somebody's day. People are different from one another; can you imagine how boring it would be if we were all exactly the same? (Which reminds me of that episode of The Fairly Odd Parents where the whole town was composed of identical gray blob people. Does anyone else remember this? Just me? Okay.) It's simply not productive to put somebody down because they aren't the same as you, whether that be the same race, sexuality, gender, etc. Acceptance is powerful. And you just might find that not letting these minor differences bother you makes you a bit happier in the long run, too.Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, and remember to choose love.

I have a really tough time casually wearing lip products. I'd be willing to guess most of that difficulty stems from being in high school still, and I don't wanna, like, look like I'm trying too hard? Because it's high school, and no matter how hard we try to convince people we've broken the stereotypes, we still very much care about what people think of us. Also, I just feel like I'm wearing way more makeup than I care to present myself in on a day-to-day basis.

When I do reach in my very small collection of lip colors, the NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien is one I always gravitate towards. It's that whole concept of "my lips but better," being a nude dusty-rose pink shade. This applies so effortlessly and gives my lips just a slight pinky tinge. Just a little. I can handle a little. (I always apply it over lip balm to make it a bit more subtle.) It's also quite long-wearing, which is great, because lord knows I'm not about to pull out a lip product in the middle of history class and go to the bathroom to reapply it. But if that's something you're confident in doing, more power to ya.

1.06.2017

I have a really tough time casually wearing lip products. I'd be willing to guess most of that difficulty stems from being in high school still, and I don't wanna, like, look like I'm trying too hard? Because it's high school, and no matter how hard we try to convince people we've broken the stereotypes, we still very much care about what people think of us. Also, I just feel like I'm wearing way more makeup than I care to present myself in on a day-to-day basis.

When I do reach in my very small collection of lip colors, the NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien is one I always gravitate towards. It's that whole concept of "my lips but better," being a nude dusty-rose pink shade. This applies so effortlessly and gives my lips just a slight pinky tinge. Just a little. I can handle a little. (I always apply it over lip balm to make it a bit more subtle.) It's also quite long-wearing, which is great, because lord knows I'm not about to pull out a lip product in the middle of history class and go to the bathroom to reapply it. But if that's something you're confident in doing, more power to ya.

Winters in the upper midwestern part of the U.S. are brutally dry. My hair clings to everything it touches, and my skin goes from already very dry to wow-I-can't-even-move-my-face dry. After many years of trying practically everything I could get my hands on, I've found several products that are now staple items to help me get through these freezing months and to stop my skin from turning into that of a reptile. Scales aren't a good look on me.

001. AquaphorThis product is an absolute must-have, and I've been using it for as long as I can remember. If you have dry skin, Aquaphor will completely change your life. Ever get those annoying dry patches on your face that never seem to go away no matter how much moisturizer you apply? Apply a thick layer of this stuff, and overnight they will be gone. It's quite literally magic. This also works wonders on chapped lips, not to mention cracked heels. Complete game-changer.

002. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip BalmIf you're on the market for a moisturizing lip balm specifically, this is a great one to check out. They have a variety of flavors and are super great to throw in a purse or backpack. Plus, they have SPF.

003. Soap & Glory Hand FoodHands-down (get it, 'cause it's hand cream?) the best hand cream I have ever used. It has a fresh, rosy scent, and absorbs immediately -- none of that dreaded post-hand-cream greasiness here. This guy leaves your hands feeling silky smooth and super moisturized. I couldn't tell you how many tubes of this product I've gone through. And it's a super affordable option as well.

004. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair EyeBeing seventeen, I never thought eye cream was a priority in my skincare routine; I figured using simple ol' moisturizer should do the trick. But when my under-eye concealer was flaking off throughout the day, I decided to give it a try -- and I'm super glad I did. I stole this from my mom's bathroom (sorry Mom, if you're reading) and have been very happy with the results. After my first night using it I could already see and feel the difference. The skin under your eyes is different than the rest of your face, and can benefit from special eye-targeted products. This eye cream has worked well for me, and I would definitely recommend it, but I think eye cream in general is definitely a product to look into if you aren't using it already.

1.03.2017

Winters in the upper midwestern part of the U.S. are brutally dry. My hair clings to everything it touches, and my skin goes from already very dry to wow-I-can't-even-move-my-face dry. After many years of trying practically everything I could get my hands on, I've found several products that are now staple items to help me get through these freezing months and to stop my skin from turning into that of a reptile. Scales aren't a good look on me.

001. AquaphorThis product is an absolute must-have, and I've been using it for as long as I can remember. If you have dry skin, Aquaphor will completely change your life. Ever get those annoying dry patches on your face that never seem to go away no matter how much moisturizer you apply? Apply a thick layer of this stuff, and overnight they will be gone. It's quite literally magic. This also works wonders on chapped lips, not to mention cracked heels. Complete game-changer.

002. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip BalmIf you're on the market for a moisturizing lip balm specifically, this is a great one to check out. They have a variety of flavors and are super great to throw in a purse or backpack. Plus, they have SPF.

003. Soap & Glory Hand FoodHands-down (get it, 'cause it's hand cream?) the best hand cream I have ever used. It has a fresh, rosy scent, and absorbs immediately -- none of that dreaded post-hand-cream greasiness here. This guy leaves your hands feeling silky smooth and super moisturized. I couldn't tell you how many tubes of this product I've gone through. And it's a super affordable option as well.

004. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair EyeBeing seventeen, I never thought eye cream was a priority in my skincare routine; I figured using simple ol' moisturizer should do the trick. But when my under-eye concealer was flaking off throughout the day, I decided to give it a try -- and I'm super glad I did. I stole this from my mom's bathroom (sorry Mom, if you're reading) and have been very happy with the results. After my first night using it I could already see and feel the difference. The skin under your eyes is different than the rest of your face, and can benefit from special eye-targeted products. This eye cream has worked well for me, and I would definitely recommend it, but I think eye cream in general is definitely a product to look into if you aren't using it already.

I have zero-period math class each morning at 7:45, which means setting my alarm at 6:00 a.m. and snoozing until about 7. That gives me a little over half an hour to eat breakfast, pick an outfit, and do my makeup. Needless to say, I walk into class at about 7:44 every day, out of breath from practically running down the halls to avoid a tardy.

Because I can't seem to drag my butt out of bed in the morning, I've developed a super quick makeup routine that I do nearly every day. I'm a big fan of minimal makeup.

001. Face I use the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer under my eyes and on any blemishes I have and blend it out with a damp BeautyBlender. This is my second tube of this product, and I'm quite a fan. Although pricey, it blends nicely, stays in place, and makes my skin look bright and glow-y. Sometimes I quickly set the concealer with a loose powder foundation, but lately I've been skipping this step to save time. Then I use the Lancome Blush Subtil in Blushing Nude on my cheeks because I end up washing out most of the color from my face with how much concealer I use some days. #acneproblems

002. Eyes One of my best purchases has been the Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette. It features six shades (5 matte, 1 satin), and works wonders for easy and simple makeup looks. I use Skimp (pale nude) on my lids and Frisk (cool taupe) in my crease and blend everything out with an Ecotools brush. Then I curl my lashes with a very old and broken Sally Hansen eyelash curler that I should probably replace (*shrugs shoulders*) and apply either Lancome Definicils Mascara or Covergirl Lashblast Volume. I don't wear waterproof mascara because it doesn't remove with Micellar Water, so finding a mascara that isn't waterproof and doesn't end up half way down my face by the end of the day has been a struggle. These two stay put 100%.

003. Lips I know not everybody likes rose-scented products, but I love them. Smith's Rosebud Salve is a great product for hydrating your skin and lips alike, and it's quick to apply.

So there you have it: the makeup I wear every day. This usually takes me around 5-10 minutes, and is great when you're short on time -- or hit the snooze button one too many times.

1.02.2017

I have zero-period math class each morning at 7:45, which means setting my alarm at 6:00 a.m. and snoozing until about 7. That gives me a little over half an hour to eat breakfast, pick an outfit, and do my makeup. Needless to say, I walk into class at about 7:44 every day, out of breath from practically running down the halls to avoid a tardy.

Because I can't seem to drag my butt out of bed in the morning, I've developed a super quick makeup routine that I do nearly every day. I'm a big fan of minimal makeup.

001. Face I use the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer under my eyes and on any blemishes I have and blend it out with a damp BeautyBlender. This is my second tube of this product, and I'm quite a fan. Although pricey, it blends nicely, stays in place, and makes my skin look bright and glow-y. Sometimes I quickly set the concealer with a loose powder foundation, but lately I've been skipping this step to save time. Then I use the Lancome Blush Subtil in Blushing Nude on my cheeks because I end up washing out most of the color from my face with how much concealer I use some days. #acneproblems

002. Eyes One of my best purchases has been the Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette. It features six shades (5 matte, 1 satin), and works wonders for easy and simple makeup looks. I use Skimp (pale nude) on my lids and Frisk (cool taupe) in my crease and blend everything out with an Ecotools brush. Then I curl my lashes with a very old and broken Sally Hansen eyelash curler that I should probably replace (*shrugs shoulders*) and apply either Lancome Definicils Mascara or Covergirl Lashblast Volume. I don't wear waterproof mascara because it doesn't remove with Micellar Water, so finding a mascara that isn't waterproof and doesn't end up half way down my face by the end of the day has been a struggle. These two stay put 100%.

003. Lips I know not everybody likes rose-scented products, but I love them. Smith's Rosebud Salve is a great product for hydrating your skin and lips alike, and it's quick to apply.

So there you have it: the makeup I wear every day. This usually takes me around 5-10 minutes, and is great when you're short on time -- or hit the snooze button one too many times.

I am not the same person I was a year ago -- and thank goodness for that. 2016 was filled with so many memorable experiences: traveling to California, meeting some of my best friends, starting my final year of high school, and more. I have learned so much about the person I am and the person I want to be, and it's clear to me just how much I've grown in the past year, especially mentally.

I've never really been one to make New Year's Resolutions. I believe that every day, every hour, every minute, you can make a change. You can have a clean start whenever you may choose. But with that being said, there are some things that I would like to accomplish this year.

Explore
Later this year, I will be moving away from home and beginning college. Being from a small town has its perks, but there is so much I have yet to see or experience. I can't wait to see what's really out there, and I hope to learn more and more about myself along the way. This also includes stepping out of my comfort zone and taking advantage of opportunities when they arise.

Setting Boundaries
I tend to be a very forgiving person by nature, and I'm alright with that. I don't see any reason to hold on to negative thoughts or emotions toward something or someone. But just because you forgive doesn't mean you have to forget. I need to surround myself with individuals who are adding something to my life, not continually taking something away.

Being Happier and Healthier
Ah yes, here it is. The classic "get-my-butt-to-the-gym" resolution. But really. I know implementing proper exercise in my life would help me lead a much healthier lifestyle. Doing hobbies that make me happy also falls under this goal as well; I hope to spend more time playing guitar, reading, writing, cooking, and taking photographs. Sometimes we get to preoccupied with our day-to-day obligations that we forget to take time to do things we really enjoy.

1.01.2017

I am not the same person I was a year ago -- and thank goodness for that. 2016 was filled with so many memorable experiences: traveling to California, meeting some of my best friends, starting my final year of high school, and more. I have learned so much about the person I am and the person I want to be, and it's clear to me just how much I've grown in the past year, especially mentally.

I've never really been one to make New Year's Resolutions. I believe that every day, every hour, every minute, you can make a change. You can have a clean start whenever you may choose. But with that being said, there are some things that I would like to accomplish this year.

Explore
Later this year, I will be moving away from home and beginning college. Being from a small town has its perks, but there is so much I have yet to see or experience. I can't wait to see what's really out there, and I hope to learn more and more about myself along the way. This also includes stepping out of my comfort zone and taking advantage of opportunities when they arise.

Setting Boundaries
I tend to be a very forgiving person by nature, and I'm alright with that. I don't see any reason to hold on to negative thoughts or emotions toward something or someone. But just because you forgive doesn't mean you have to forget. I need to surround myself with individuals who are adding something to my life, not continually taking something away.

Being Happier and Healthier
Ah yes, here it is. The classic "get-my-butt-to-the-gym" resolution. But really. I know implementing proper exercise in my life would help me lead a much healthier lifestyle. Doing hobbies that make me happy also falls under this goal as well; I hope to spend more time playing guitar, reading, writing, cooking, and taking photographs. Sometimes we get to preoccupied with our day-to-day obligations that we forget to take time to do things we really enjoy.